Car Wax: Not Just For Cars
Most people only ever think about car wax when they’re trying to protect their car’s paint job, but believe it or not, there are a lot of other things you can do with it! That humble container of car wax (sometimes called “turtle wax” after the popular car care brand) hidden away in your garage can be used in a variety of ways that will make it easier to keep your home clean.
So what is in car wax, anyway? This special synthetic coating is made up of carnauba wax, natural oils, beeswax, and petroleum distillates, and is designed to form a thin, protective (and shiny!) layer over automotive paint.
But those protective properties can be equally useful in other scenarios as well, especially for shining and protecting various surfaces around the house. While I could probably come up with 101 uses for car wax, I decided to save us all some time and limit this list to 11 of the most useful car wax uses. Enjoy!
11 Practical Car Wax Uses Around The House
1. Fog-Free Mirrors
Prevent your bathroom mirror from fogging up after a hot shower by shining it with car wax! Apply a small amount of car wax to the mirror, let it dry, then buff with a soft dry cloth.
Related: Make Your Glass Surfaces Sparkle With These Reliable Cleaners
2. Prevent Mildew
After cleaning your shower with your standard cleaner, apply a layer of car wax to the inside and outside of your shower door (and other areas that tend to get mildew-y), then buff with a clean, dry cloth to prevent mildew growth. Reapply the wax around once a year to keep your shower mildew free.
Related: This Easy Natural Cleaner Gets Rid Of Mold And Mildew
3. Fight Fingerprints
If you own stainless steel kitchen appliances, consider using car wax to clean them instead of a surface cleaner. Simply apply a light coat of car wax to the appliance, and buff clean to repel fingerprints and smudges.
4. Protect Patio Furniture
Apply a thin coat of car wax to metal, plastic or molded furniture to protect and add shine. They’ll last a lot longer with the added protection of the wax, which could save you a lot of money over time!
Related: How To Put Away Your Outdoor Furniture The Right Way
5. Shine Bathroom Fixtures
Rubbing car wax onto your bathroom and kitchen metal fixtures will help keep them shiny and help prevent water spots. After applying the wax, buff it to a shine with a microfiber cloth.
6. Keep Snow From Sticking
When it’s time to clear the driveway and sidewalks after a snowstorm, apply two coats of car wax to your shovel before you begin. This will stop snow from sticking to it, making shoveling the walk so much easier. (If you use a snow blower, wax the inside of the chute for the same benefit!)
7. Make Backsplash Easy To Clean
If you wax the backsplash tiles behind your stove and sink, grease will wipe right off with almost no effort. Plus it will make your kitchen sparkle!
8. Prevent Metal Corrosion
Mailboxes, door knockers, and outdoor light fixtures are all subjected to the elements, and that can eventually lead to corrosion. You can fend off the elements by coating your outdoor fixtures with a thin layer of car wax.
More Ideas You'll Love
Related: 6 Unexpected Ways To Remove Rust With Things You Have At Home
9. Cure Sticky Doors & Windows
Apply a small amount of car wax to the tracks of sliding closet doors, drawers, and windows to help them open and close more smoothly.
Related: 21 Problem-Solving Ways To Use WD-40 At Home
10. Shine Leather Shoes
Car wax works great for shining leather shoes. It keeps them looking great, and makes them much easier to wipe clean.
11. Shine Your Stove
Clean your stove top and apply a layer of car wax once a month to create a clear barrier that makes cleaning up a breeze! Burnt on food and grease wipe off easily, and it will stay shiny for weeks.
Looking For More Posts Like This?
- I’ve written dozens of blog posts about creative alternative uses for everyday items, and now there’s a quick and easy way to peruse them!
- Check out all of my “Uses For” posts here.
What other car wax uses would you add to this list?
I would love it if this would work on my glass top stove which is the bain of my existence, but wouldn’t it created fumes when the stove heats?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am concerned about the wax on the stove top. Can it catch on fire?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The tub/shower surround in our previous home was made of fiberglass. I would polish the surround with boat wax every six months to make cleaning easy. Remember that if the product you use is in a spray or pump bottle, be sure to apply it to the applicator! I would put an old towel down to keep from getting the wax on the bottom of the tub to catch any drips that might happen.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How does the wax hold up when you use the stove?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love to use it when my nail polish has dried completely. I apply it with a soft cloth wait a couple of minutes then buff with a separate soft cloth. My nails really shine and it adds a protective layer so the polish lasts longer.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.use it on your wind spinners to keep them shiny; also great on chimes
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use car wax on my kids toboggans.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I wax my cat’s litter boxes to make scooping easy. Nothing sticks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What a clever idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When I was a new bride in 1985, I had read an article about how to keep your tub and shower looking new. When we built our first house, I put that article to use. I waxed the fiberglass Tub/shower unit. It looked so pretty until it started to yellow. I had intended to reapply wax every few months but decided against it. It took a lot of elbow grease to remove the waxy film. Wax is better today. My husband uses a liquid wax on the car but I’m still a little shy about using it in the house.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I really love these tips. We are moving into a brand new house with stainless steel sinks–can the car wax be used in the sink too, do you know?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sure!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Any recommendations on car wax brands?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here’s a link to the one that I use: https://amzn.to/2pP2aFS :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.As with most products, I was concerned about car wax being toxic…especially when I saw it used on a stove top as it would be heated, as well as around food areas. To my surprise, carnauba wax is NOT toxic, (https://www.isitbadforyou.com/questions/is-carnauba-wax-bad-for-you) and so I’m so excited to try many of these uses. I imagine you did thorough research and I didn’t need to concern myself. I love your blog, and with many of your tips, I’ve learned a great deal, and adapted many of my “household ways” .
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Janelle! Carnauba wax is actually in candy corn, no safety issues here! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.….and Jillie Beans…..errrr Jelly Beans! (sorry couldn’t resist) :) !
We have a vintage chrome and Formica dinette set that is probably from the mid 40s. Waxing the tabletop makes it shine again.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used car wax as a cleaner and rust retarder on brass beds when I was an Interior Designer. My customers loved the lasting protection.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Jillee! I’ve used a lot of these ideas. I can say the wax really works well on shower walls! Makes cleaning so much easier! And on the waxing the shovel idea: We used to rub a bar of paraffin all over the shovel, then put it in our pockets to reapply. We also used the paraffin on the underside of the metal “flying saucer” sleds to keep from sticking in the snow! I guess living in Maine can teach you a few things!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Waxing your sled is a great idea – how fun!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use car wax on my exterior doors and window shelves to protect them from pollution. They are painted metal.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a fiberglass shower and I use car wax two times a year to wax the walls. After using the shower I squeegee off the walls and their done. I also give the glass doors a coat of wax.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for the wonderful tips! I never knew car wax had so many other uses.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Won’t the wax layer on the stove heat up?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I had the same question. Also ,when it heats will the fumes be toxic?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nope, no toxicity to worry about!
I’m liking the idea but wondering the same thing. Also, I have a gas stove and really don’t want to light up the house that way!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would think it would be be a fire hazard
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nope – there is hardly any wax left on stove. You wax it on, then clean it all off – leaving barely anything behind :-) No toxic fumes, either!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I had the same thoughts as the other ladies. Now look out glass top stove are you in for a cleaning!